Tuesday News 24/03/2020

It’s snowing. In March. In spring.

And just a few days ago, I could go out in a T-shirt.

Oh, well, it should stop in a few days.

COVID-19 is getting worse here, but slowly compared to other countries.

I still manage to read, though I’m easily distracted.

So…

Currently reading: A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen. I can’t say it’s superb writing, but hey, the author is a street musician, not a writer, and this book doesn’t need amazing writing. It tells its story, and it works. And Bob is wonderful, of course.

Recently read: A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier. At first, it was all right. And then it became better, a story of a single thread that makes a difference, and of some rather interesting women in Britain between the World Wars.

Also recently read: Korporativni pandemonijum (The Corporate Pandemonium) by Aleksandar Zolotić and Zoran Penevski. It’s a really good and visually impressive retro futuristic graphic novel about a rather dark world of the future, a boy who just wanted to fly, and a girl with an unusual, unmarked toy. And much more, of course; if you understand Serbian, you can read it here (the publisher made it free in order to both celebrate 10 years of publishing, and to help those who are stuck at home due to the pandemic), and if you don’t understand Serbian, you can still enjoy in the art.

It’s funny how I always turn to comic books and graphic novels when I can’t focus. They really help.

Currently watching: still nothing.

Currently working on: the other blog, trying to avoid too much anxiety, and I’ve got some plans for the blog in Serbian, too.

That’s it for today, see you next time!

P.S. That picture above? It was taken on this day last year. No snow, like now!

View this post on Instagram

Yes, another snow video #snow #snowing #snowinginmarch❄️

A post shared by Ivana Milakovic (@ivana.angel011) on Mar 24, 2020 at 5:39am PDT

Tuesday News 17/03/2020

Blogging in the time of corona… Blogging while there’s a state of emergency in Serbia (and many other countries, as well).

But no, this isn’t about COVID-19. It’s just the usual blog post, because we’re still alive, still reading, still doing stuff.

Currently reading: A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier. I’ve just started, but so far, so good. Her books are usually good, and I hope that this one isn’t going to be an exception.

Recently read: Saga 1-6 by Brian K. Vaughn. I’m hooked. A graphic novel with beautiful art by Fiona Staples, a mix of fantasy and science fiction, a wonderful lying cat (that’s a species), quirky humor, quirky species… Go on, read it. And then read the next ones. I certainly will.

Currently watching: nothing. I’m spending too much time on social media, annoyed by everything that’s happening.

Currently working on: see above, plus hunting for supplies in the midst of panic buying. All right, I am working on that other blog. And supporting my friends. But I’m still annoyed.

Sorry, it did turn out to be about COVID-19, among other things. You got a picture of a cute cat, though.

Stay safe!

Friday News 13/03/2020

What a lovely date! There has to be a picture of a black cat to accompany it.

Of course, do be nice to cats, on this and every other day.

News?

COVID-19 is now officially a pandemic, but you already know it (or you should). If we’re talking about work, businesses are affected, freelancers are affected…and if we’re not talking about work only, well, do try to stay alive, even if there are those who prefer the “strictly economic” approach (as in, there might be economical benefits if we let more people die).

All right, rant over. But do try to stay alive.

Now, back to the usual news. And a warning: there will be some vague spoilers for The Testaments by Margaret Atwood.

Currently reading: A Universal History of Iniquity by Jorge Luis Borges. It’s Borges, so of course it’s good. Colorful stories about vile people. Real or imagined. Mostly imagined, even if real. You know, Borges. And if you don’t know, it’s high time you read his books.

Recently read: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. Where do I even start? It’s set some 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale, but it doesn’t follow just the book, it follows the TV series, too. To a point, though; there are some changes, like Aunt Lydia being a judge in her previous life, not a teacher (this wasn’t much of a spoiler, and it does go well with her character).

So, if you’re going to read this, I suggest you read the first book (if you haven’t already), and watch the series (if you haven’t already). You can read this book without the previous works, but the experience is going to be much more emotional with them. There will be wonderful Oh, it’s actually her moments, as well as even more wonderful Whoa, hey, they’re actually… Oh, I can’t wait for them to find out! ones. I’ve seen some people complain that everything went too smoothly, but… On the one hand, it sort of did, considering everything that could have happened, but on the other hand, that ending was being prepared for 15 years, and many, many bad things have happened during those 15 years. So, it’s about as smooth as someone is an overnight success. In other words: no, it isn’t.

Currently watching: courses. In order to help businesses, freelancers, and others affected by COVID-19, Fiverr has created a special site with resources for those impacted, and for a limited time, they’re offering some free courses, too: Brand Strategy and Design for Small Businesses, Build a Professional Website with WordPress.com, Social Media Content Strategy, and Online Freelancing Essentials. None of those will turn you into an expert, but they are packed with information all in one convenient place, at least the ones I’ve seen so far. So, I’m learning what I can, both for work and for myself (plus I’m a curious cat).

Mostly working on: courses. See above. And the same blog I’ve mentioned the last few times. And planning to explore a few tools I’ve learned about in the courses.

Well, that’s it for today’s edition of Life and Work in the Time of Coronavirus, err, A Kitty Dreaming About Wings, see you next time!